Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008: The Year at Western

What happened at Western Michigan University in 2008?

In January, the Herald reported on the plans of the WMU College Republicans for the semester. WMU announced a plan for free tuition for students coming out of foster care. Western terminated a scholarship based on race to comply with the MCRI. The WMU College Republicans and college democrats debated the war in Iraq. This blog answered the debate questions.

In February, recent Western graduate Tim Nendorf announced a bid for state house (he lost in the primary). The Herald had some interesting content. The race for WSA president began to take shape. Western did not cancel class when the roads were coated with ice. More local issues were debated. Everyone felt bad about East Campus. The WSA discussed a tax increase. An important article, The Campus Rape Myth, exposed a feminist lie. Student groups made news on campus.

The WMU College Republicans announced that we would bring Ted Nugent to campus. This announcement sent liberals into a rage. Nugent did a radio interview on WRKR. WMU celebrated America First Day (March 31) with Ted Nugent. The event attracted about 1800 people, and received more news coverage.

Also in March, the issue of concealed carry was debated on campus. The claims of the WSA about its proposed tax increase were exposed as untrue. Jay Richards spoke on campus about capitalism. The WSA election took place. The WSA continued its absurdity. Danielle Harik was elected WSA president, and the tax increase passed with the support of 5% of students.

In April, this blog took a look back at the failures of the college democrats' Neoconservative Awareness Month. The issue of transparency in Western's spending was debated. Concealed Carry was debated again. WMU debuted some new facilities. The feminist nonsense behind Take Back the Night was exposed.

The WMU College Republicans were named a "Five Star RSO" by Western. The WMUGOP also elected new leadership.

Over the summer, leftist professor Don Cooney ran for Congress (he lost in November). The Board of Trustees raised fees. Timothy Greene was named Western's new Provost. An article skewered Western's medieval studies conference. The Board of Trustees raised tuition 9.2%. WMU part-time instructors discussed forming a union.

As a new academic year began, Western's faculty voted to authorize a strike. However, a strike was averted, thanks to an increase in their already large salaries.

Also in September, there was more news around campus. A forum for 61st district state house candidates was held on campus. This blog reported on the forum. The Western Herald celebrated seventy years of existence. The Herald reported on a meeting of the WMUGOP.

In October, the Herald reported on another College Republican meeting. Seven WMU faculty apparently signed a petition to support Bill Ayers. The Herald wrote an article about the Students for Life, who brought Chris Gast to speak about Proposal 2. The WMU police issued a crime alert. The Herald featured terrible writing. The Herald reported on yet another WMUGOP meeting. The Herald endorsed Chuck Ybema for state house. WMU released its annual security report.

In November, the New York Times quoted the chairman of the WMUGOP. UNC Wilmington professor Mike Adams spoke to the Students for Life about abortion and free speech. The WMU College Republicans had several changes in leadership.

In December, former WMU president Diether Haenicke was hospitalized following a heart attack. He was later released.

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2007: The Year at Western
2006: The Year at Western

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